If the same force is applied to two objects with different masses, the smaller mass accelerates

• A. Slower
• B. The same
• C. Faster
• D. Depends on direction

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that acceleration depends on mass when the same force is applied. According to F = m a, the acceleration is a = F / m. If you push two objects with equal force, the lighter object has a smaller mass, so the value of F / m is larger for it. That means it will speed up more quickly, i.e., accelerate faster.

To see it with numbers: if the push is 10 N, a 2 kg object experiences 10/2 = 5 m/s^2, while a 5 kg object experiences 10/5 = 2 m/s^2. Since the lighter mass has a larger acceleration, it speeds up faster. If the force direction is the same, the direction of the acceleration follows that force, but the rate of change of speed depends on the mass.